Sir

What is the most popular non-alcoholic drink in the world, after tea? Obviously, Coca-Cola. Wherever you go to, you will see commercials advertising it; whatever fast-food restaurant you drop in to, Coca-Cola (or Pepsi, which is actually the same regardless of what numerous advertisements claim) will be included into the majority of menus. Children and adults all over the world drink Coca-Cola.

Samples of five different cold drinks sprite, Mountain Dew, 7UP, Pepsi and Coca cola were selected by the stratified sampling method and the samples were submitted to National Test House (in Kolkata) for testing. Apart from lead, other heavy metals like Cadmium and Chromium were also found in the sample. Technical Advisory Board had found five different toxins in aerated drinks produced by two major multinational companies in India.

“We have received no intimation nor a copy of the cited test reports and without an understanding of the methodology used, would be unable to comment on the reports,” a PepsiCo India spokesperson said.

Coca-Cola India too said: “We have not received any communication or notice from any of the concerned government departments pertaining to testing of our products and have learnt about the subject only through the said newspaper report”

According to reports, in April last year, the Health Ministry is learnt to have directed the AIIH&PH to conduct a study on leaching of toxins from PET bottles, used for packaging pharmaceutical preparations, cold drinks, alcohol, juices and other beverages.

It starts with a controversy on Maggie then bread and now most selling beverage sprite, Mountain Dew, 7UP, Pepsi and Coca Cola.

It is very surprising to hear such news day by day as people will not able to decide that what they should consume or what not as these cold drinks can be seen in every youngster’s hand and at some point of time it can also put their lives in danger.

Yours Truly

Prity Jha, 21, CEMS III, Patna Women’s College

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